Russia helped Donald Trump win the presidency. They created troll farms and bombed social media with fake stories to promote Trump. They bought ads to help Trump. They hacked the servers of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton Campaign. They contacted the Trump campaign. They sent representatives to Trump Tower to meet with Trump’s son, son-in-law and campaign … [Read more...] about Department of Conspiracies (Cartoon and Column)
How the alt-right corrupts the Constitution
The Constitution is interpreted differently by the alt-right. Shutterstock/Joseph Sohm John E. Finn, Wesleyan University About 10 years ago, I spent a sabbatical on the Maine coast writing a book about the Constitution. One afternoon, an eager reference librarian who knew about my interests invited me to a talk at the library. The featured speaker … [Read more...] about How the alt-right corrupts the Constitution
The danger of viewing politics as a team sport
By MICHAEL GERSON Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- There not being nearly enough discussion of chariot racing in American politics, it is worth recalling the story of the Greens and the Blues. These were the two main racing teams of the Byzantine Empire, and they generated considerable sporting enthusiasm. A clash of their fans in the riots of the year 501 took … [Read more...] about The danger of viewing politics as a team sport
It’s the season for treason, according to Trump
This must be the season for treason. In the Oval Office on Thursday afternoon, President Trump gave a lesson on American justice to the visiting South Korean president. Speaking about the Mueller investigation and its origins, Trump said: "This is actually treason." This wasn't offhand. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the probe was a "Treasonous Hoax" and that "what the … [Read more...] about It’s the season for treason, according to Trump
DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
It is troubling to think that one half of the American electorate might be playing by a different set of rules than the other half. We all have the same needs: we all need better paying jobs as Kamala Harris says; we all need better and more affordable healthcare as Bernie Sanders says; and we all need more income equality as Elizabeth Warren says. Then why aren’t these … [Read more...] about DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
A snapshot of science’s power to amaze
WASHINGTON -- Forget everything else for a moment and behold infinity. On Wednesday, scientists unveiled a fuzzy image that should blow every mind on the planet: the first-ever picture of a black hole, which is a region of space so dense that nothing can escape its gravitational pull, not even light. Black holes were predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general … [Read more...] about A snapshot of science’s power to amaze
Is 75 the new 65? Wealthy countries need to rethink what it means to be old
Living longer and loving it. oneinchpunch/shutterstock.com Warren Sanderson, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York) and Sergei Scherbov, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration In 1950, men and women at age 65 could expect to live about 11 years more on average. Today, that number has gone up … [Read more...] about Is 75 the new 65? Wealthy countries need to rethink what it means to be old
(UPDATE) Whatever Happened to ‘Embassy Cat’?
UPDATE: Embassy Cat appears to be safe and well and purr-fectly well informed of Assange’s “comings and goings.” In a video posted today by WikiLeaks, Embassy Cat can be seen purr-ched in front of a TV screen showing footage of Assange being carried out of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. Embassy Cat, however, seems more interested in perhaps catching a fly than … [Read more...] about (UPDATE) Whatever Happened to ‘Embassy Cat’?
Trump and the Smallpox Blankets
UPDATED BELOW Trump wants to drop off southern border detainees in "Sanctuary Cities." And no one even blinks. Just another crazy news story in another crazy news cycle. beg to differ. This is one of the most horrific and consequential acts of an already horrific and consequential presi-dfunce-y thus far. And we would do well to cultivate our outrage. Trump's plan to send … [Read more...] about Trump and the Smallpox Blankets
Cartoon: Old Barr Game
Candace Owens’ presence turned a serious inquiry into a farce
WASHINGTON -- The new Democratic House majority held a hearing Tuesday on the rise of white nationalism, following the mosques massacre in New Zealand, the Pittsburgh synagogue killings and the deadly neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville. Republicans invited Candace Owens to testify. That would be the Candace Owens whom the alleged perpetrator of the New Zealand atrocity … [Read more...] about Candace Owens’ presence turned a serious inquiry into a farce
Does moral leadership lost under Trump matter?
Donald Trump has (seemingly easily) discarded many longtime norms and one of them is the Oval Office and America seen by many as symbols of moral leadership. Does this matter? Martin Longman gives this take: As things have taken a darker and darker turn in our country, and really throughout the world, in the last two decades, I’ve come to see moral leadership as more and … [Read more...] about Does moral leadership lost under Trump matter?
There is more to the Church than it’s Roman Catholic branch.
In an article about Roman Catholicism, Charles F. McElwee writes the following. "Catholicism has entered a dark period in America. The Church’s disgraceful handling of sexual-abuse scandals—with shocking new reports routinely emerging—plays a direct role in shrinking congregations and closed churches, especially in the Rust Belt. These revelations have shown an institution … [Read more...] about There is more to the Church than it’s Roman Catholic branch.
Putin Summary (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I’m a cartoonist which means I don’t do math well, but I do know two plus two equals four. Here’s another equation that’s not difficult to decipher: When Donald Trump goes from “release the Mueller Report” to “don’t release it,” and his toady Attorney General William Barr won’t confirm if the White House has seen it yet, that means Trump has seen it. At the very least, someone … [Read more...] about Putin Summary (Cartoon, Column and Video)
WikiLeaks’ Assange arrested, accused by U.S. of conspiring in 2010 computer hacking attempt
Embed from Getty Images Wikileak's Julian Assange has finally been arrested and it seems likely he'll be extradited to the United States: Nearly seven years after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London, Ecuador revoked his asylum Thursday. Here is what has happened since. ? London’s Metropolitan Police entered the embassy … [Read more...] about WikiLeaks’ Assange arrested, accused by U.S. of conspiring in 2010 computer hacking attempt
Netanyahu’s ominous victory
WASHINGTON -- The last decade has been trying for liberals who support the existence of a democratic Jewish state and believe that Palestinians have a right to self-determination within a state of their own. Tuesday's election in Israel made the liberal path even rockier, both inside the country and in the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's victory was not … [Read more...] about Netanyahu’s ominous victory
National Enquirer to lose Pecker
The National Enquirer, the once mighty supermarket tabloid that went through various incarnations only to have become a virtual propaganda sheet for Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign and run into a buzz-saw of legal and ethical problems, is expected to soon be sold. It's parent company American Media, Inc, whose CEO, David Pecker, is reportedly a best bud of Trump's, is … [Read more...] about National Enquirer to lose Pecker
Smoking and Obesity
Americans are fatter now than they ever have been. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 40 percent of adults and 20 percent of children are obese. The CDC refers to obesity as a societal health crisis. Is there anything that can be done about it? Perhaps we could find solutions from the one successful society-wide behavior modification program conducted in the … [Read more...] about Smoking and Obesity
Netanyahu Survives
The Israeli elections are done and the results are not surprising. Just as in the U.S. which elected Trump despite his known character flaws, Netanyahu will probably form the next Israeli government, led by himself. This is despite his indictment for corruption and since the rules of the Knesset do not bar someone from being a voting member even though he/she may be in prison. … [Read more...] about Netanyahu Survives
Views of Race Relations in America
On the evening of June 17, 2015, a young man opened fire with a handgun at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina during a Bible study at the church, killing nine people, including its Pastor, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney. On June 26, 2015, President Barack Obama delivered a heart-felt, moving eulogy for the Reverend. Right … [Read more...] about Views of Race Relations in America